Thursday 4 January 2018

The Morning After: There's a big problem inside your CPU

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Thursday, January 04, 2018.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

First things first: check your system for updates. Once you’ve got that sorted, we have plenty of pre-CES info to share including a new XPS 13 from Dell and a quick flyby video of SpaceX’s big rocket.

Update early and often.

Meltdown and Spectre weakness affects most modern CPUs

Keep an eye out for updates on your PCs, phones and even servers. A particularly nasty vulnerability has been discovered that takes advantage of techniques modern processors use to complete tasks faster. If a piece of malware using this code ended up on your system (or, for example, on a server powering multiple websites), it could steal information from other programs currently running, like passwords or security keys.

The three vulnerabilities make up two exploits, Meltdown (affects Intel based CPUs), and Spectre (works on many chips, including ARM, AMD and Intel). Patches that address the issue are rolling out across the Windows, macOS and Android platforms. This code could even run on a webpage, so it’s important to grab the latest Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer updates, too. The patches could reportedly reduce performance in some cases, but the information we’ve seen so far indicates there’s little impact on regular desktop and mobile users.

Voice assistant included.

Roku aims to take over home audio with its wireless speaker platform

No, Roku isn’t building a wireless speaker. Instead, it’s approaching home audio similar to how it tackled TVs: by offering its technology to other companies. Roku Connect is a new wireless audio platform that the company will license to third parties. Roku also put together a hardware reference design for a smart soundbar and speaker, which will guide partners as they develop their own hardware. The goal? To make it even easier for consumers to put together their own theater systems and spread speakers throughout their homes.

This will include the Roku Entertainment Assistant, which will let you control the company’s entire platform with voice commands. You could, for example, say “Hey Roku, play rock music in the living room,” and it'll start spitting out tunes from your soundbar.

Smaller, lighter and… cleaner?

Dell XPS 13 hands-on: a makeover inside and out

Dell’s XPS 13 has been one of our favorite laptops for years, and with good reason. Its compact design, brilliant display, comfortable keyboard and long battery life make it a well-rounded device. This time around, Dell wasn’t content to simply offer an incremental processor bump, oh no. It has given the XPS 13 a makeover, with narrower bezels, a new cooling system and a white option with a stain-resistant coating. Let’s open it up.

HUAWEI Mate 10 Pro: The Best Phone You've Never Heard Of

But it probably still will.

eHarmony can’t claim its matches are ‘scientific’ anymore

Dating service eHarmony has a weird definition of science when the law comes knocking. An ad in the London subway system triggered the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency to call the “scientifically proven” matching system “misleading.”

eHarmony claims that its algorithm is “based on scientific theories in the relationship literature of assortative mating,” and provided a couple of studies as evidence that its claims hold water. However, one of the studies was apparently a survey taken by couples that proactively told the dating site about their impending nuptials. That’s in addition to eHarmony allegedly incentivizing them to do so. That’s not exactly a random sample.

Now with webcam covers.

Lenovo’s new ThinkPads pack 8th-gen Cores and slimmer designs

Lenovo just revamped most of its ThinkPad lineup, and it’s good news if you want a speedy portable that won’t weigh down your laptop bag. Its new ThinkPad X, T and L models have all made the switch to faster eighth-generation Intel Core processors while sporting slimmer, lighter bodies. The 12.5-inch X280, for example, is 15 percent thinner (0.69in) and 20 percent lighter (2.6lbs) than its predecessor. There’s also a new 13-inch L-series (the L380) for people who want a no-frills pro laptop in an even more portable design.

Spoilers!

‘Blade Runner 2049’ VFX reel breaks down that unexpected reveal

Despite the insane stakes, last year’s Blade Runner 2049 lived up to (and in some ways surpassed) the paradigm-shifting original film. The sequel created its gritty futuristic look with the help of plenty of visual effects, but building settings isn’t all the film pulled off with digital wizardry. A shocking moment comes with the kinda-return of a pivotal character from the original -- now we see how they managed it.

Critics be damned.

Netflix confirms a 'Bright' sequel is on its way

Netflix’s Bright might not be a critical success, but it is a commercial one. The company has confirmed that Bright 2 is in development through a brief teaser clip -- already. The movie had the best first-week viewing of any original movie on Netflix, racking up 11 million views in just its first three days. It was also the top movie on Netflix in every country where it was available.

But wait, there's more...

1. A Nanjing Massacre survivor's story lives on digitally

2. SpaceX shows a video flyby of its Falcon Heavy rocket

3. Spotify quietly files to become a public company

4. ASUS will use routers you already own for a mesh WiFi setup

5. Watch this streamer accidentally break a 'Tetris' world record

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Wednesday 3 January 2018

ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter

ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter: Wednesday -- January 3, 2018

ECT News Network -- Where Business Meets Technology
http://www.ectnews.com
E-Commerce Times | TechNewsWorld
CRM Buyer | LinuxInsider

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This Week's Top News Headlines From the E-Commerce Times

Germany Cracks Whip Against Hate Speech on Social Media
(Posted 03-Jan-18)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85037.html

Consumers Win Some, Lose Some in Privacy Legal Tussles
(Posted 03-Jan-18)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85035.html

Big Players Scored in the E-Commerce Battles of 2017
(Posted 02-Jan-18)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85033.html

6 Ways to Boost Your Mobile Commerce Performance
(Posted 30-Dec-17)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85031.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From TechNewsWorld

Tech to Watch in 2018: Cryptocurrency, AI, Wearables
(Posted 02-Jan-18)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85034.html

Who's More Dangerous - the Sexual Predator or the Enabler?
(Posted 01-Jan-18)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85032.html

2017 in Tech: The Year of Foreshadowing Big Things to Come
(Posted 29-Dec-17)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85030.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From CRM Buyer

Globant CTO Diego Tartara: Building Trust Moment by Moment
(Posted 29-Dec-17)
http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/85011.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From LinuxInsider

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Editor's Pick: Consumers Win Some, Lose Some in Privacy Legal Tussles

Consumers Win Some, Lose Some in Privacy Legal Tussles

John K. Higgins Jan 3, 2018 5:00 AM PT
	The Walt Disney Company's recent decision to purchase major assets of 21st Century Fox in a transaction valued at $52 billion underscores the huge potential for distributing information and entertainment via the Internet. The deal will allow the company to improve its direct-to- consumer offerings, Disney said when it disclosed the transaction early last month. [More...]

More Picks:

Big Players Scored in the E-Commerce Battles of 2017
Moves that allowed major e-commerce players to jockey for position both off and on the Internet made headlines in 2017. "The year was a triumph for market leaders," said Mike Comstock, a senior adviser at GrandCanals. "Leading companies like Amazon, Target and Walmart just got stronger, as they have the resources to either build or buy whatever they need to win." [More...]

Who's More Dangerous - the Sexual Predator or the Enabler?
There are three groups of people involved in sexual harassment: the victims; the perpetrators; and those who cover up or enable the perpetrators. Historically, we have put more pressure on the victims -- either forcing them to shut up to protect their jobs and careers, or forcing them out of their jobs, which was totally wrong. There's been a recent move to focus on the perpetrators/predators. [More...]

Tech to Watch in 2018: Cryptocurrency, AI, Wearables
Guesswork is often involved in predicting the "next big thing" -- but with CES just a week away, the future is almost now. The annual trade show, as well as other industry events following one after another -- including ITExpo, Gitex and Mobile World Congress -- means there will be no shortage of product announcements, technology unveilings, and proclamations about the tech of the future. [More...]

Follow Us

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E-Commerce Minute

E-Commerce Minute: Wednesday -- January 3, 2018

The E-Commerce Times -- E-Business Means Business
http://www.ecommercetimes.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
Consumers Win Some, Lose Some in Privacy Legal Tussles
Big Players Scored in the E-Commerce Battles of 2017
6 Ways to Boost Your Mobile Commerce Performance
5 Ways Etailers Can Fight Chargeback Fraud

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Today's Story Highlights

Consumers Win Some, Lose Some in Privacy Legal Tussles

The Walt Disney Company's recent decision to purchase major assets of
21st Century Fox in a transaction valued at $52 billion underscores the
huge potential for distributing information and entertainment via the
Internet. The deal will allow the company to improve its direct-to-
consumer offerings, Disney said when it disclosed the transaction early
last month.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85035.html

Big Players Scored in the E-Commerce Battles of 2017

Moves that allowed major e-commerce players to jockey for position both
off and on the Internet made headlines in 2017. "The year was a triumph
for market leaders," said Mike Comstock, a senior adviser at
GrandCanals. "Leading companies like Amazon, Target and Walmart just got
stronger, as they have the resources to either build or buy whatever
they need to win."
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85033.html

6 Ways to Boost Your Mobile Commerce Performance

One thing the latest holiday sales season made crystal clear is that
mobile commerce is on the rise. On Cyber Monday, mobile shopping totaled
47.4 percent of visits to retailers' websites, according to Adobe.
However, etailers could do much more to milk the mobile shopping cow.
"Traditional mobile sites aren't designed for the way people want to
discover new products," said Qubit CEO Graham Cooke.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85031.html

5 Ways Etailers Can Fight Chargeback Fraud

This holiday selling season may have been a good one for retailers, but
every silver lining has a cloud. One shadow will be cast by chargeback
fraud, which can occur when shoppers make purchases with a credit card
and then request chargebacks from the issuing bank instead of from the
merchant. "Merchants bleed $227 for every dollar lost to e-commerce
fraud," said NuData's Robert Capps.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85029.html

News Alerts From ECT News Network
Get the day's top business and technology news delivered
to your inbox as stories break. Sign up today -- it's free!
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please call our sales department toll-free at (877) 328-5500, or view
our online media kit at
http://www.ectnews.com/advertising/

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here: Newsletter Management Wizard

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